Apparatus for guiding an oscillating continuous casting mold at a continuous casting installation with curved path of travel of the strand

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for guiding an oscillating or reciprocating continuous casting mold at a continuous casting installation having a curved axis of the path of travel of the strand, by means of a hinge or linkage mechanism equipped with at least four elements, wherein one element with a respective hinge at the ends thereof is formed by a mold arrangement which may be the mold itself or the mold and an extension thereof and another element serving as a frame is formed by a part of the structure of the installation. The paths of movement of the hinges are curved at the mold opposite to the axis of the path of travel of the strand.

United States Patent Rotarides et al.

[11] 3,822,738 1 July 9,1974

3,395,751 8/1968 Hess 164/260 3,528,483 9/1970 Mallener 3,664,409 5/I972 Kolomeitsev et al. 164/260 Primary Examiner-Charles W. LanhamAssistant Examiner-D. C. Reiley, Ill

[75 Inventors: ggg 'g gq iggiz; g gyzfi Attorney, Agent, or Firm-WernerW. Kleeman Feldmeilen, Switzerland I [73] Assignee: Concast AG, Zurich,Switzerland [57] ABSTRACT 22 Filed; Jam 31 973 An apparatus for guiding3.11:1 oscillating or reciprocatmg continuous casting mo at a continuouscasting [21] Appl. No.. 328,408 installation having a curved axis of thepath of travel of the strand, by means of a hinge or linkage mecha- [30]Foreign A li ti priority m nism equipped with at least four elements,wherein Feb l 1972 Switzerland 1466/72 one element with a respectivehinge at the ends thereof is formed by a mold arrangement which may [52]U 8 Cl 164/260 64/83 be the mold itself or the mold and an extension[51] B22d 11/00 thereof and another element serving as a frame is formedy a p of the Structure of the installation. [58] Field of Search 164/83,260, 273 R The paths of movement of the hinges are curved at the [56]References Cited mold opposite to the axis of the path of travel of theUNITED STATES PATENTS 3,343,592 9/1967 Vogel 164/260 13 Claims, 3Drawing Figures 4 a t x 2 i :1 5 s m L APPARATUS FOR GUIDING ANOSCILLATING CONTINUOUS CASTING MOLD AT A CONTINUOUS CASTING INSTALLATIONWITH CURVED PATH OF TRAVEL OF THE STRAND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thepresent invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for guiding anoscillating or reciprocatory continuous casting mold at a continuouscasting installation or plant having a curved axis of the path of travelof the strand, by means of a hinge or linkage mechanism having at leastfour elements, wherein one element, equipped with a respective hinge atthe ends thereof, is formed by a mold arrangement which may be the molditself or such mold and an extension thereof, and another elementserving as a frame is formed by a part of the structure of theinstallation.

lt is known during the casting of steel to oscillate or reciprocatecontinuous casting molds having arcor circular-shaped hollow moldcavities about a central position, in that the mold is guided at a shortlink or lever and additionally at a further short link or lever or at aguide mechanism. The short lever is connected at one end with the moldand at the other end with the stationary frame and extends from the moldin the direction of the center of the circular are which forms thecenter of curvature of the hollow mold cavity. With this arrangement thecircular arc and the path of travel of the lever end connected with themold are curved at the same side. The length of the lever is less thanthe radius of the curved axis of the path of travel of the strand andthe extension of the lever axis should intersect a straight lineinterconnecting the center point of the hollow mold cavity and thecenter of the circular are at a predetermined point.

It is also known in the art to employ for molds having a straight hollowcompartment or cavity and followed by a curved path of travel of thestrand, instead of the lever or linkage arrangement, guides in the formof sliding blocks and rollers. These guides are arranged in such amanner that the linear mold walls, during the reciprocatory stroke, format random points tangents at the circular arcs of the strand.Consequently, the mold moves along a circular arc, the center of whichcoincides with the center of the arc of the strand path of travel.

With these known proposals as heretofore advanced in the art there isassumed that the path of movement of the mold coincides as closely aspossible with the desired axis of the path of travel of the strand, thatis to say, the path of travel of the mold and the arc of the strand arecurved at the same side so that the deviations caused by the smaller arcof the oscillatory movement do not produce any metallurgical drawbacksfor the cast product. However, such type equipment is associated withdecisive disadvantages.

With the heretofore proposed solution employing at least one short linkor lever which extends in the direction of the center of the circularare which forms the center line of the hollow mold cavity, the bearinglocations as well as the drive mechanism for the oscillatory movementmust be arranged at the inner region of such circle. When working withsmall radii the space available at the inner region of the arc is verylimited, as a result of which the mounting of the oscillatory unitoftentimes is associated with extensive difficulties. Additionally, theheat which is generated bythe cast strand at the inner arc cannot be asreadily removed as the heat which is present at the outer arc. This inturn produces considerable deviations in the lever bearing locationsowing to thermal expansion. Consequently, displacements arise betweenthe mold and the following strand path of travel which, in turn, producethe familiar casting defects, such as for instance, the formation offissures or cracks at the cast strand. ln the case of installationshaving adjustable molds there arise still further difficulties since, inthe normal situation, the mold wall directed toward the center of thestrand arc is displaceable. In such installations the strand guidearrangement following the mold is also adjustable. The means necessaryfor the adjustment operations are likewise arranged at the side of thestrand guide arrangement which is directed towards the center of the arcof the strand. Mounting of the adjustment elements for the mold, thestrand guide arrangement and the oscillation mechanism at the same sideof the strand path of travel results in constructional drawbacks whichonly can be overcome with great difficulty.

Guiding of the mold by means of sliding blocks and rollers has thedrawback that, owing to the large horizontal forces, these guides tendto wear quite rapidly, so that the mold no longer follows the desiredpath. This shortcoming can only then be overcome by performing extensivemaintenance operations and expending an excessive amount of time forreadjusting such guides. In actual practice, it has been found thatguiding of the mold in a manner that the linear mold walls form tangentsat the desired path of travel of the strand at each point of theoscillatory movement does not really produce any satisfactory castingresults.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, this particular field of technology isstill in need of improved apparatus for guiding an oscillatory orreciprocatory continuous casting mold at a continuous casting planthaving a curved path of travel of the strand in a manner not associatedwith the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior artproposals. Thus, it is a primary object of the present invention toprovide an improved apparatus of the aforementioned type whicheffectively and reliably fulfills the needs still existing in the artand is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitationsof the prior art proposals.

Another and more specific object of the present invention relates to anew and improved construction of apparatus which allows oscillating orreciprocating a continuous casing mold by means of short levers withouthaving to take into account any appreciable disadvantages with respectto the quality of the cast product.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedapparatus of the aforementioned type wherein other parts of theinstallation are not obstructed and there is achieved betteraccessibility with respect to the adjustment mechanisms.

Now in order to implement these and still further objects of theinvention, which will become more readily apparent as the. descriptionproceeds, the invention contemplates that the paths of movement of thehinges or pivot points at the mold are curved opposite to the axis ofthe path of travel of the strand.

The apparatus of this development enables arranging the oscillationlever and the oscillation drive at the outside of the curved axis of thepath of travel of the strand, so that the oscillation device can beaccommodated at a region which is subjected to lower thermal loads andno longer hinders the adjustability of the adjustable mold.Additionally, the accessibility to the uppermost portion of the strandguide arrangement is considerably improved and the maintenance of theoscillation device is considerably facilitated since more space isavailable at the outside.

In the case of installations where the axis of the hol low moldingandguide cavity of the mold and its extension which oscillates alongtherewith coincides with the axis of the strand path of travel at thelower terminal point of the oscillation path and forms intersectionpoints with the upper and lower terminal or end surfaces of theoscillating hollow moldingand guide compartment, it is particularlyadvantageous if such intersection points are located at the end orterminal points of the oscillation path of the mold along a tangenttaken with respect to the axis of the strand path of travel and thepoint at the lower end point at the same time constitutes the contactpoint of the tangent with the strand path of travel axis.

Due to this constructional embodiment, it is insured that the stranddeparting from the oscillating hollow moldingand guide compartment willenter the next successive strand guide arrangement which is connectedwith the structure with as little deviation as possible, so that thereis reduced the danger of breakouts or other damage to the strandsurface.

It is also possible that only one of both intersection points is locatedat a tangent. This can then be advantageous if by means of the relativemold movement, perpendicular to the axis of the path of travel of thestrand, the outlet direction of the strand from the mold should beinfluenced, which under circumstances renders possible a more uniformdistribution of the withdrawn thermal energy along the mold walls.

Further advantages can be realized in that the guide links or leverswhich constitute the connection elements between the hinges or pivotpoints at the mold and the frame, extend parallel. Such embodimentfacilitates alignment of the lever and therefore the oscillatorymovement in a most simple manner, so that there can be realized a savingin time.

If these guide levers are designed so as to have dissimilar lengths,then there are realized further advantages, in that the curvature of thepath of movement of both hinge or pivot points at the mold can beselected in accordance with the requirements of the desired moldmovement.

Constructional difficulties can require that a connection element of theparallelogram-like hinge or linkage mechanism be formed by a guide trackinstead of a guide lever. This solution renders possible a combinationof a short guide lever with a guide track or path without possessing thementioned drawbacks of guide tracks, for instance impermissible wearduring operation.

Advantageously, the deviations of the paths of movement of the hinges orpivot points at the mold from the strand axis to both sides of suchstrand axis are uniformly divided. Consequently, the relative error,that is to say, the deviation from the desired axis of the path oftravel of the strand, can be reduced by one-half.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be betterunderstood and objects other than those set forth above, will becomeapparent when consideration is given to the following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view through the uppermost portion of acontinuous casting installation or plant having a curved axis of thestrand path of travel, and also depicting the mold, the oscillationmechanism and the uppermost guide region for the strand;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the course of movement for the point ofintersection of the moldingand guide hollow cavity axis with the lowerend surface of such oscillating moldingand guide hollow cavity; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a modified form of guide mechanism with a leverreplaced by a guide track.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Considering now thedrawings, it is to be understood that, as a matter of convenience inillustration, there has only been depicted therein enough of thestructure of a continuous casting plant to enable one skilled in the artto readily understand the underlying concepts of this development.Turning attention therefore more particularly to FIG. 1, there will berecognized a continuous casting mold arrangement which comprises theopen-end continuous casting mold l and in certain cases also anextension 1 thereof. This mold l encloses a hollow mold cavity orcompartment 3 which at its end region also can constitute a hollow guidecavity or compartment. Means defining a first guide zone 2 is connectedwith the mold 3, this guide zone-defining means 2 enclosing a hollowguide compartment 4 and following which there is arranged a strand guidearrangement or mechanism, the uppermost segment of which has beenconveniently designated by reference character 22. The mold l, the meansdefining the first guide zone 2 and the strand guide mechanism 22 arecomponents of a curved strand path of travel with associated strand pathof travel axis 15. Two guide levers or links 8 and 9 are coupled forinstance with the mold l and its extension 1 via the hinges or pivotpoints 11 and 12. Of course, if the mold l is of the type not having amold extension, these two levers can be directly coupled with the molditself. These guide levers 8 and 9 are also mounted at the bearing orsupport locations 10. These bearing locations 10 are secured to astationary frame 7, and wherein at such stationary frame 7 there is alsoarranged in known manner an oscillating drive as well as transmissiondevices which, however, for the purpose of preserving clarity inillustration have not been particularly shown, especially since suchconstitute standard structure in this particular art. It is of coursepossible where necessary to duplicate the arrangement of such links orlevers at the opposite side of the mold, so that the latter is straddledby two pairs of such levers.

Now if the mold l and the components connected therewith, such as themeans forming the first guide zone 2, are to be moved during the castingoperation in an oscillatory or reciprocatory manner, then the levers orlinks 8 and 9 coupled with the mold 1 at the hinge or pivot points 11and 12 oscillate about the bearing or support locations 10. Both of thebearing locations 10, the levers 8 and 9, and both of the hinge points11 and 12 as well as the continuous casting mold arrangement therebyform a four-element hinge or linkage mechanism. The ends of the levers 8and 9 which are connected with the mold arrangement at the points 11 and12 move along circular paths of travel 17 and I8 and specifically havingthe radii 34 and 35. The circular paths of travel 17 and 18 are curvedopposite to the axis of the path of travel of the strand. Normally, andas indicated above, the levers or links 8 and 9 are arranged in pairs inorder to be able to also laterally guide the mold I; it is however alsopossible to employ only one respective lever 8 and 9 and to support themold l by means of gliding surfaces or rollers against deviationsperpendicular to the levers 8 and 9.

Since the uppermost segment 22 of the strand guide arrangement andtherefore the entire strand guide arrangement is not oscillated, ratheris fixedly connected with the frame 7 of the installation, it isimportant that the mold 1 and the means defining the first guide zone 2which forms the oscillating region, do not exceed a certain permissibledeviation from the strand path of travel axis 15. This deviation amountsup to about 0.2 mm., wherein the maximum deviation is dependent upon themetallurgical quality of the cast steel. The deviation must be least atthe lowermost point of the oscillatory movement, since at that locationthe distance between an imaginary end surface 26 of the oscillatingregion and the next fixed guide portion of the strand 3 guide segment 22is also least. Now if the mold 1 is oscillated, then the lower endsurface of the oscillating region coincides with the end surface of thehollow mold cavity 3. If, however, the guide element 2 arrangedfollowing the mold 1 is likewise oscillated, then, the oscillatoryregion first terminates at a surface of the hollow guide compartment 4and which is disposed perpendicular to the strand path of travel axis15, and which surface directly merges at the lowermost oscillating guidemeans 5.

FIG. 2 illustrates the schematic motion conditions of a reference point28 at the lower and upper terminal points of the oscillatory path oftravel. The reference point 28 is formed by the point of intersection ofthe hollow moldingand guide cavity axis 16 with the lower end surface 26of the oscillatory hollow guide compartment 4. A second reference pointis formed by the axis 16 together with the upper end surface 25 of thehollow mold compartment or cavity 3, namely the point of intersection 27depicted in FIG. 1. At the lower end point of the oscillatory path oftravel the axis 16 coincides with the strand path of travel axis 15 andthe point of intersection 28 with the contact point 31 of a tangent 32taken with respect to the strand path of travel axis 15. At the upperend point, the point 28 likewise is located at the tangent 32. The endsurface 26 has shifted by an amount corresponding to the oscillationstroke into the position depicted by reference character 26. If thepoints 28 and 28' are located at tha tangent 32, then there is realizeda particularly uniform transition of the oscillating components withrespect to the stationary strand guide. The displacement of the point 28into the position 28 occurs along the periphery of a circular are 18having the radius 35, wherein the are 18 is curved opposite to the arcof the strand path of travel axis 15 having the radius 33. It isparticularly advantageous if the radii 35 and 33 and the associatedcenters are chosen such that the point 28 is deflected uniformly to bothsides of the strand path of travel axis 15, so that the deviations 38 or39 from the strand path of travel axis 15 are reduced by one-half. Withthe conventional oscillatory devices, the entire deviation or deflectionis located at the same side of the strand path of travel axis 15.

Independent of the curvature of the strand path of travel axis 15 andthe arrangement of the hinge or pivot points 11 and 12 at the mold 1 andwhere applicable at its extension 1, it can be advantageous if thelevers 8 and 9 are not of the same length, since consequently themovement of the points 11 and 12 connected with the ends of the levers 8and 9 can be better accomodated to the strand path of travel 15.

The alignment of the levers 8 and 9 can be simplified in that such arearranged so as to extend in parallelism.

If the upper point of intersection 27 depicted in FIG. 1 is not locatedat a tangent with respect to the strand path of travel axis 15, then, asa result the vertical oscillatory movement of the mold 1 can havesuperimposed thereon horizontal movements which render possible anaccommodation of the mold movement to the requirements of the strandwhich is formed in the hollow mold cavity or compartment 3.

It is also possible to only associate the point 27 of the movement endpoints along a tangent with respect to the strand path of travel axis 15and the point 28 of the movement end points do not lie upon or along atangent 32.

A further solution has been depicted in FIG. 3 wherein the lever 8,which provides the connection element between the hinge or pivot point11 at the mold 1 and the frame 10, is replaced by a guide track or path41. This guide track 41 can be formed by a sliding track or a rollertrack, the axis 44 of which, however, is likewise curved opposite to thestrand path of travel axis 15. The sliding block 42 which is connectedwith the mold l is guided with the aid of the guides 43 along the axis44, which guides 43 are connected with the stationary frame 7. This axis44 corresponds to the path of movement of the lever 8 which has beenindicated by reference character 17 in FIG. 1.

It is also possible to retain the lever 8 and instead to replace thelever 9 by a guide track.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary illustrated embodiments ofthe equipment, rather by carrying out changes with respect to theindividual components is it possible to devise still further embodimentsof the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.Also in the case of installations with linear hollow mold cavities ofthe mold and subsequently arranged curved strand path of travel axis,the proposed solution can be readily employed.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for guiding an oscillatory continuous casting moldarrangement of a continuous casting installation having a curved axis ofthe path of travel of the cast strand, said guiding apparatus comprisinga hinge mechanism composed of at least four elements, one of saidelements being formed by said mold arrangement and having a respectivehinge at given locations of said mold arrangement, another of saidelements serving as a frame and being formed by a part of the structureof the continuous. casting installation, each of said hinges having apivot point located at the mold arrangement, the movement paths of saidpivot points being curved in a direction which is opposite to the curvedaxis of the path of travel of the strand,

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the hinges at givenlocations of said mold arrangement are located at respective end regionsthereof.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the mold arrangementcomprises a continuous casting mold open at opposite ends thereof.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the mold arrangementcomprises a continuous casting mold and an extension thereof, one ofsaid hinges being located at the continuous casting mold and other ofsaid hinges at the extension thereof.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said mold and itsextension which oscillates with said mold possess a hollow moldingandguiding compartment possessing an axis, said axis being identical withthe axis of the strand path of travel at the lower terminal point of theoscillatory path of movement and forming intersection points with therespective upper and lower end surfaces of the oscillating moldingandguiding compartment, said intersection points at the terminal points ofthe oscillatory path of travel of the mold arrangement each beinglocated along a respective tangent taken with respect to the axis of thepath of travel of the strand, and wherein the intersection point at thelower end point of the oscillatory path of travel simultaneouslyconstitutes the point of contact of the tangent with the axis of thepath of travel of the strand.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein only the movement endpoints of one of both intersection points is located upon the tangent.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, said hinge mechanism furtherincluding hinges provided for said frame and two guide levers providingconnection element means between the hinges of the mold arrangement andthe hinges of the frame, both of said guide levers extending insubstantial parallelism with respect to one another.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, said hinge mechanism furtherincluding hinges of the frame and two guide levers providing connectionelement means between the hinges at the mold arrangement and the hingesat the frame, said guide levers possessing differ ent levers withrespect to one another.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, said hinge mechanism furtherincluding a first and second connection element provided between saidmold arrangement and the frame, one said connection element being formedby a guide lever and the other connection element being formed by aguide track.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said guide apparatusserves to uniformly distribute the deviations of the paths of movementof the hinges at the mold arrangement from the axis of the path oftravel of the strand to both sides of the strand path of travel axis.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the curved axis of thepath of travel of the cast strand has a radius of curvature and themovement paths of said pivot point have radii of curvature, the radii ofcurvature of said movement paths of said pivot points being located at aside opposite to the location of the radius of curvature of the curvedaxis of the path of travel of the cast strand.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the cast strand has aninner curved surface and an outer curved surface, the curved axis of thepath of travel of the cast strand having its radius of curvature locatedat the side of the inner curved surface of the cast strand, and saidradii of curvature of the pivot points being located at the side of theouter curved surface of the cast strand.

13. An apparatus for guiding an oscillatory continuous casting moldarrangement of a continuous casting installation having a curved axis ofthe path of travel of the cast strand, said guiding apparatus comprisinga hinge mechanism composed of a plurality of elements, one of saidelements being formed by said mold arrangement, said mold arrangementbeing provided with hinge means at said mold arrangement, another ofsaid elements serving as a frame constituting a part of the structure ofthe continuous casting installation, said hinge means of said moldarrangement having a pivot point located at the mold arrangement, saidpivot point moving through a path of travel possessing a curvature whichis opposite to the curvature of the curved axis of the path of travel ofthe strand.

1. An apparatus for guiding an oscillatory continuous casting moldarrangement of a continuous casting installation having a curved axis ofthe path of travel of the cast strand, said guiding apparatus comprisinga hinge mechanism composed of at least four elements, one of saidelements being formed by said mold arrangement and having a respectivehinge at given locations of said mold arrangement, another of saidelements serving as a frame and being formed by a part of the structureof the continuous casting installation, each of said hinges having apivot point located at the mold arrangement, the movement paths of saidpivot points being curved in a direction which is opposite to the curvedaxis of the path of travel of the strand.
 2. The apparatus as defined inclaim 1, wherein the hinges at given locations of said mold arrangementare located at respective end regions thereof.
 3. The apparatus asdefined in claim 2, wherein the mold arrangement comprises a continuouscasting mold open at opposite ends thereof.
 4. The apparatus as definedin claim 1, wherein the mold arrangement comprises a continuous castingmold and an extension thereof, one of said hinges being located at thecontinuous casting mold and other of said hinges at the extensionthereof.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said mold andits extension which oscillates with said mold possess a hollow molding-and guiding compartment possessing an axis, said axis being identicalwith the axis of the strand path of travel at the lower terminal pointof the oscillatory path of movement and forming intersection points withthe respective upper and lower end surfaces of the oscillating molding-and guiding compartment, said intersection points at the terminal pointsof the oscillatory path of travel of the mold arrangement each beinglocated along a respective tangent taken with respect to the axis of thepath of travel of the strand, and wherein the intersection point at thelower end point of the oscillatory path of travel simultaneouslyconstitutes the point of contact of the tangent with the axis of thepath of travel of the strand.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5,wherein only the movement end points of one of both intersection pointsis located upon the tangent.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1,said hinge mechanism further including hinges provided for said frameand two guide levers providing connection element means between thehinges of the mold arrangement and the hinges of the frame, both of saidguide levers extending in substantial parallelism with respect to oneanothEr.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, said hinge mechanismfurther including hinges of the frame and two guide levers providingconnection element means between the hinges at the mold arrangement andthe hinges at the frame, said guide levers possessing different leverswith respect to one another.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1,said hinge mechanism further including a first and second connectionelement provided between said mold arrangement and the frame, one saidconnection element being formed by a guide lever and the otherconnection element being formed by a guide track.
 10. The apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein said guide apparatus serves to uniformlydistribute the deviations of the paths of movement of the hinges at themold arrangement from the axis of the path of travel of the strand toboth sides of the strand path of travel axis.
 11. The apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein the curved axis of the path of travel of thecast strand has a radius of curvature and the movement paths of saidpivot point have radii of curvature, the radii of curvature of saidmovement paths of said pivot points being located at a side opposite tothe location of the radius of curvature of the curved axis of the pathof travel of the cast strand.
 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11,wherein the cast strand has an inner curved surface and an outer curvedsurface, the curved axis of the path of travel of the cast strand havingits radius of curvature located at the side of the inner curved surfaceof the cast strand, and said radii of curvature of the pivot pointsbeing located at the side of the outer curved surface of the caststrand.
 13. An apparatus for guiding an oscillatory continuous castingmold arrangement of a continuous casting installation having a curvedaxis of the path of travel of the cast strand, said guiding apparatuscomprising a hinge mechanism composed of a plurality of elements, one ofsaid elements being formed by said mold arrangement, said moldarrangement being provided with hinge means at said mold arrangement,another of said elements serving as a frame constituting a part of thestructure of the continuous casting installation, said hinge means ofsaid mold arrangement having a pivot point located at the moldarrangement, said pivot point moving through a path of travel possessinga curvature which is opposite to the curvature of the curved axis of thepath of travel of the strand.